Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:38:58 GMT
New details on construction of the new terminal at Southwest Georgia Regional Airport. Construction crews are working on the final touches. Right now, officials are looking at bids for food vendors. TheyMore >>
New details on construction of the new terminal at Southwest Georgia Regional Airport. Construction crews are working on the final touches.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:34 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:34:05 GMT
Supporters of a former Pelham teacher, accused of assaulting his principal, came out Tuesday to support him. They spoke to the Pelham School board saying former Pelham Elementary School teacher BobbyMore >>
Supporters of a former Pelham teacher, accused of assaulting his principal, came out Tuesday to support him.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:24 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:24:47 GMT
Some folks in South Georgia know all too well the destruction a powerful tornado can cause. Back in 2000, a tornado killed 11 people in Camilla. That prompted Mitchell County to become the state's firstMore >>
Some folks in South Georgia know all too well the destruction a powerful tornado can cause. Back in 2000, a tornado killed 11 people in Camilla.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:46 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:46:50 GMT
Some folks in South Georgia frantically tried to get in touch with loved ones who live near the destruction in Oklahoma. Leesburg's Wendy Mathis has a brother who lives in Oklahoma City and works in BethanyMore >>
Some folks in South Georgia frantically tried to get in touch with loved ones who live near the destruction in Oklahoma.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:38:18 GMT
A concerned citizen is stepping up to help the children who have been devastated by the tornado in Oklahoma. Lee County resident Jyl Goodson says she wants to help bring joy back to the children in Moore,More >>
A concerned citizen is stepping up to help the children who have been devastated by the tornado in Oklahoma.More >>
November 2, 2007
Albany -- As the Medical Director of Phoebe Putney Hospital's Cancer Center, Dr. Phillip Roberts knows cancer kills many South Georgians.
Dr. Phillip Roberts said "the cancer death rate in Southwest Georgia is significantly higher than in Georgia and the rest of the country. It's about 7.5 percent higher that the rest of Georgia."
One of the most startling facts, from 2000 to 2004 the mortality rate of colon cancer cases in Terrell County was 48.5 deaths per 100,000 people, one of the highest death rates in the country. While admitting there are tragic problems, Dr. Roberts said that figure is misleading, because of the small number of people involved. Dr. Phillips said "that only constitutes five deaths out of ten patients. So ten patients and five deaths does not constitute an epidemic."
Fatty food diets, with lots of fried chicken and barbeque are often cited as one reason South Georgians have high mortality rates of colon cancer. But Dr. Phillips says it's obesity and failure to get health screenings at age 50. Dr. Phillips says "you not only screen for colon cancer, but you prevent colon cancer because you remove the pre-malignant polyps, and those will not become cancer."
Phoebe Putney is building a huge new medical tower to serve as their Cancer Center, because of the overwhelming number of cancer patients they are seeing.
Doctors say losing weight through a healthier diet and exercise, and health screenings could improve mortality rates. Dr. Phillips said smoking and obesity are now considered the two big causes of cancer in South Georgia.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Worldnow and WALB, a Raycom Media Station. 
